“It allows professors to work on specific cases of prestigious universities, with access to first level information sources”

Professor Yves Solis, is the Dean of the Humanities Department in the High School Division of Tecnológico de Monterrey, Santa Fe Campus. He holds a Ph. D. in Social Sciences with specialization in History- religious, political and cultural history from the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France. He received a scholarship from the Rhone-Alpes region to undertake a master’s program at the Iberoamericana University, Mexico Campus. He received a Diplôme d'études Approfondies (DEA) in religious history from the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. He also holds a master’s degree in History by the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. He holds an undergraduate degree diploma in History and one in Political Sciences, both from the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3

He is a researcher of the high school division of Tecnológico de Monterrey, Santa Fe Campus. He has publications in books, journals and newspapers in Mexico and in France. He has lectured in conferences and has participated in national and international conferences in the cities of Mexico, Monterrey, Las Vegas, Seville, and Leiden among others. He has had the opportunity to do two visiting research programs in Rome since the opening of the Pio XI Fund, opportunities in which he had access to the Vatican’s Secret Archives.

The use of allows to develop in students the self-learning ability

According to Dr. Yves Solis’ educational experience, through the different activities it is sought to develop in students their concept ability, and to know what and how to be. Hence, it will make them engaged world class citizens and students. The student shows knowledge and understanding oriented to making decisions and to citizenship engagement. “In this setting, the uses of the technology are clearly explicit as of the first weeks of classes,” he added.

The use of the Open Educational Resources (REA for its acronym in Spanish) available in the tool to obtain information allows students to develop the ability of self-learning. Dr. Solis comments, “The fact that they can do research and the need to synthesize their thoughts through the use of charts, diagrams and flow charts allows students to assure the learned processes and to offer a clear outlook by developing arguments that entail a change from and ethical and humanistic perspective. They back up their reflection in primary sources and the scientific reasoning found in the catalogue.”

For Dr. Yves Solis it is very important that students get close to the historical and documented research techniques since it allows them to have a theoretical, practical and responsible activity. Also, knowledge acquisition should not be limited to getting the concept or theoretical knowledge; it should also allow students to understand the right knowledge that helps them transform reality and understand their own settings.

Three specific benefits of using the tool

Dr Yves Solis comments on three benefits of the use of the resources: [1] It can be used as a search tool; [2] It is a great didactic aid for the teacher; [3] It allows students and teachers to work on specific cases of prestigious universities, having access to first level sources such as agreements, conferences, pictures, etc.

The tool is a database of educational resources with great potential. It could be one of the most important educational aids in the teaching/ learning process for teachers and students. Dr. Yves Solis comments; “One of its strengths is that is a multilingual system and has a multi-continental public; the information reported in each resource allows the user to obtain recommendations or suggestions for its use.”

A tool that facilitates the teaching/learning process

The use of is important as an aid for the student in the research process, as a means to do assignments or activities suitable for the course. It also illustrates and goes in depth in a topic. Dr. Yves Solis comments on his experience in using this tool in his courses, “The use of this tool by students is divided in three parts: use of the tool as a search tool, use as a didactic aid and use for specific cases. Thus, it is easier to get students involved because the resources have been chosen by the professor teaching the course.”

Besides, it is an ideal tool for the teacher because it represents the possibility of going over quality topics and resources, free and permanently available. It allows to respect copyright and to work the positive side of globalization of knowledge.

“ stands for the professor’s assurance of having a resource evaluated by a peer professor and for the student stands for the possibility of working and studying with resources evaluated by an expert whose information is the academic support of Tecnológico de Monterrey.” Dr. Yves Solis concludes, “It is a tool that facilitates the teaching/learning process and for so, it helps in the teaching endeavor and in the study for learning.”